Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-12-14

NO. IA.
at this time and frequently called trusts
which have for their objecrs the eeulatiot
of the supply and price of commodities
made and sold by members of the combine
tion. The people can hardly hope for any
confederation in the operation of these self
lsh schemes. If however, in the absencs
of such com mbinatiop, healthy aud free
competition reduces the price of any parti
cular dutiable
| ARTICLE OF HOME PRODUCTION
below the limit which it might otherwise
reach undsr our tariff laws, and if, with
such reduced price, its manufacture con
tinues, it is entirely evident that the thing
has been d scovered which should be fully
scrutinized in an effort to reduce taxation.
The necessity of com bination to maintain
the prices of commodity to the tariff point
furnishes proof that some one is willing to
accept lower prices for such commodity;
that prices are remunerstive; and lower
prices produced by competition prove the
same thing. Thus, where eisher of these
conditions exist, q case would seem to be
presented for an easy reduction of taxation.
The considerations which have been pres.
ented touching our tariff laws are intended
only to enforce an earnest recommendation
that the surplus revenues of the govern
mont be prevented by tho reduction of our
customs duties, and at the same time to
emphsaize a suggestion that in accomplish
ing this purpose one may discharge double
duty to our people by granting to them Q
mi nf fari tov in
quarters where it is most needed, and from
sources where it can be most fairly and
justly accorded. Nor can the presentation
made of such considerations be with any
degree of fairness regarded as an evidence
of uufriendliness toward our manufacturers
interests. or of any lack Of appreciation Of
their value and Importance. These inter-
ests constitute leading and most substan-
tial element of our national greatness, and
furnish
PROGRESS.
But If in the emergency that presses upon
us, our manufacturers are asked to sur
render something for the public good and
to avert disaster, their patriotism, a. well
as grateful recognition Of advantages al
ready afforded, should lead them to q will
ing corporation. No demand is made that
they shall forego all the benefits of govern
mental regard, but they cannot fail to be
admonished of their duty az we'll as their
enlightened selfinterest and safety, when
they are reminded of the fact that financial
panic and collapse to which the present
condition tends, affords no greater shelter
or protection to our manufacturers than to
our other important enterprises. Oppor-
tuuity for safe, careful and deliberate re-
form is now offered, and none of us should
be unmindful of q time when au abused
and irritated people, needless of those who
have resisted timely and reasonable relief,
may insist upon a radical and sweeping
rectification of their wrongs.
The difficulty attending wise and fair
revision of our tariff laws is not underesti-
mated. It will require on the part of the
Congress great labor and care, and espeoi-
ally broad and national contemplation Of
the subject, and patriotic disregard of
such local and selfish claims as are unrea-
sonable and reckless of the welfare of the
entire country. Uuder our present laws
more than four thousand articles are subject
TO duty. Many of these do not in any way
compete with our own manufacturers, and
many are hardly worth attention Is snbiecss
of revenue. A considerable reduction can
be made in the aggregate by adding them
to the free list.
THE TAXATION OF LUXURIEs
presents no features of hardships; but the
uecessaries { life used aud consumed by all
the people, the duty upon which adds to the
cost of living in every home, should be
greatly cheapened. The radical reduction
of the duties imposed upon raw material
coA in ,f,of
tiou is of course an i'm mportant factor in auy
effort to reduce the price of these necessaries.
1t would not only relieve them from the in.
creased cost caused by tho tariff on such
materials. but the manufactured product
being thus cheapened. that part of the tariff
now laid upon such product az compensa
tion to our manufacturers for the present
price of raw material could be accordingly
modified. Such reduction or free importa-
ton would serve besides to largely reduce
the revenue 1t is not apparent how such
a change can have any injurious effect upon
our manufacturers. On tho contrary, it
would appear to give them a better chance
in foreign markets with the manufacturers
of o.her countries, who cheaper their wares
by free material. Thus Our people might
have the opportunity of extending their
sales beyond the limits of home consump.
tion. saving them from the depression and
interruption in business and loss caused by
a glutted domestic market, aud afording
their employees more certain and steady
labor, with it's resulting quiet and content.
meut. The question thus imperatively
presented for soIution should be approach
cd in spirit higher than parties anxiety,
and conslaered IN the light of that regard
for patriot duty which should character
izs the action OF those instrustsd with the
veal of con6ding people. But the obliga.
ton to declare party policy and principle is
not wanting to urge prompt and effective
action. Both of the great political parties
now represented in th. government have by
repeated unauthoritative declarations con-
demned the condition of our laws which
permit the collection from the people of
unnecessary revenue, and have in the most
solemn manner promised its correction; and
neither as citizens nor partisans are our
counsryEen in mood to coudone the de-
liberate violation of these pledges.
Our progress toward wise conclusion
will not be improved bv dwelling on the
THEORIES OF PROTECTION AND FREE
TRADE.
This savors too much of bandying epithets.
1t is condition which confronts US, not a
theory. The relief from this condition may
improve with light reduction of the advau-
tages which we award our home produc
tions, but The entire withdrawal of such ad-
vantages should not be contemplated. The
question of free trade is absolutely irrele-
want. and the PERSISTENT claim made in csr-
tain quarters that all efforts to relieve the
people from unjust and unnecessary taxa
ton are schemes Of so called free traders is
mischievous aud far removed from any con-
sideration for the public good.
The simple aud plain duty which we owe
the people is to reduce taxation to tho nec-
essary expenses of an economical operation
of the government, aud to restore to the
busines, of the country the money which
we hold in the treasury through the psrver-
sion of governmental powers. These things
can aud should be done with safety to all
our industries without danger to the oppor-
tunity for remuuerstive labor which our
workiugmeu need, and with benefit to them
aud all our people by chespening their
1f ,t.sg IL.